Fords vehicle manufacturing in Britain is at risk of coming to an end after more than a century following the US car makers decision to shrink its European production operations.

Fords vehicle manufacturing in Britain is at risk of coming to an end after more than a century following the US car makers decision to shrink its European production operations.

It is understood that Fords Southampton plant has been earmarked for closure risking 500 jobs as part of a broader consolidation process prompted by the negative impact of the eurozone debt crisis on the industry.

In a statement Stephen Odell, chairman and chief executive of Fords business in Europe said the region-wide review was necessary for the companys future.

The proposed restructuring of our European manufacturing operations is a fundamental part of our plan to strengthen Fords business in Europe and to return to profitable growth, he said.

The company said its manufacturing consolidation plans were driven by a more than 20pc fall in total vehicle demand in Western Europe since 2007.

New vehicle sales in the region have reached a nearly 20-year low this year and are expected to remain flat or fall further next year, it said.

A spokeswoman for the company would not comment on the future of Fords manufacturing in Britain but said more details on the review would be outlined on Thursday.

Ford employs a total of 11,500 in Britain, excluding Ford Financial and Ford Retail which takes the total to 15,000.

As well as Southampton, the company has three other manufacturing plants in Britain. It produces petrol engines in Bridgend, South Wales, where 2,000 people are employed; diesel engines in Dagenham, where 4,000 are employed; and gear boxes in Halewood, where 800 are employed in a joint venture with Getrag

That’s not what the Transits I see around here look like. They seem to be selling pretty well around here. They seem to have a lot of competition in Europe, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot in that class in the US.

Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.